Revere man held on $7,500 bail for pharmacy robbery

SALEM – A Revere man who passed a note to a pharmacist in Saugus saying he would “blow the place up” if she didn’t give him Percocet will have to come up with $7,500 cash in order to get out of the Middleton Jail pending trial.Eric C. Spracklin, 37, of 96 Geneva St., Apt. 1, appeared in Salem Superior Court Friday morning pleading innocent to a charge of stealing by confining or putting in fear, a crime that carries a potential life sentence in state prison.Judge Davie A. Lowy set his bail at $7,500 with pretrial conditions, despite a strong plea by Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Hickey that $50,000 cash bail should be imposed.In urging the judge to set the high bail, Hickey told Lowy his recommendation was based on his criminal record, dating back to 1987, including two prior armed robberies.Hickey said the charges relate to an incident in Saugus, when a man, later identified as Spracklin, walked into the Walgreen’s at 1228 Broadway off Route 1 in Saugus on Dec. 20 and handed a note to the pharmacist that said, “Give me Percocet or I’ll kill everyone. I’ll press a button and blow the place up.”As the female pharmacist began to fill a bottle, Spracklin apparently got “spooked” by another customer and left the scene empty handed, Hickey said.Police immediately responding to the scene spotted a man matching the description of the robber at the Hess Gas station nearby and he was taken into custody and positively identified by the pharmacist.But defense lawyer Arnold Abelow maintains his client never was “spooked,” that he just changed his mind, indicating he knew it was the wrong thing to do, and left.Abelow said his client is a former ironworker who was injured after slipping on a wet floor and got involved in painkillers.In addition, Abelow said his client was also actively going through a probate matter involving his child, eventually giving up custody.He cited his family support and roots in the community and wants closure in the case while asking Lowy to place a $3,500 cash bail with conditions of reporting, explaining that is a large amount in his situation.If Spracklin makes the bail, the judge ordered he be on pretrial probation and must attend six Alcoholic Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings each week until his case is resolved.He is due back in court on April 2 for a pretrial conference.